Is a touring bike considerably slower than a road/racing bike? I own a randonee (29 lbs) and I plan on getting into some longer club rides. Will I get smoked by the guys with 20 lb bikes, or is the difference negligible?

i went out christmas day with local road groop on my thorn sherpa, no problem until the road started to rise i got blown out half way up the climb. these bikes are not made for raceing so if you want to go fast get a road bike .

For what it's worth, my commute route is 25 miles one-way with about 1.2k of net elevation gain.
On my 21lb road bike my average speed is roughly just over 1mph faster than on my 28lb+ touring bike.
So you probably 'can' keep up on group rides...but not with the faster groups.

__________________"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey

Is a touring bike considerably slower than a road/racing bike? I own a randonee (29 lbs) and I plan on getting into some longer club rides. Will I get smoked by the guys with 20 lb bikes, or is the difference negligible?

depends on the group ride. some club rides are beginner level and/or just very casual. shoot...you could keep up with a mountain bike on one of those rides. but then there are high speed training rides with racers...lotta high wattage guys with 15 lbs bikes...sometimes a lotta hills. in those rides, you will get SMOKED...

In my case, yes I get smoked. Yesterday evening I took the Bianchi out and ran into the Tuesday Peloton (a regular occurrance in my area). I'm doing 15-16mph. They're doing 20-22. I hung with them for a mile or two, gave in to the inevitable, and went on at my previous speed. Had a nice quiet ride until the wife calls to let me know her sister was staying over for the night (cable was out on American Idol Night - AAARRRGGGGHHHH!!!!)

Bothered by the burnoff? Not when I'm riding a converted mountain bike.

__________________Syke

"No wonder we keep testing positive in their bicycle races. Everyone looks like they're full of testosterone when they're surrounded by Frenchmen." ---Argus Hamilton

Is a touring bike considerably slower than a road/racing bike? I own a randonee (29 lbs) and I plan on getting into some longer club rides. Will I get smoked by the guys with 20 lb bikes, or is the difference negligible?

My father is in a sunday club and the way they do their outings is that they divide in multiple groups of 6 to 8 people, depending on their speed. I guess tagging along with one of the slower groups shouldn't be a problem.

You can always remove rack and fenders to make your bike a couple of pounds lighter and more aerodynamic. Without rack and, you'll be able to go a bit faster, since you're used to having those on the bike.

You shouldn't have any problem following the guys on 20 pound bikes. It's the guys on the 18 pound bikes that should make you worry

I have both. I have a touring bike that weighs in at about 30 lbs but has STI shifting and 52/42/30 chain rings up front. I have a cannondale synapse that weighs in at about 17.5 lbs. While I have ridden both on club rides that maintain a pace of 16-20 mph, I would much rather be on the road bike. I would say that my average speed for most rides increases 2-3 mph (our rides typically include some climbing - the cannondale climbs much better) on the road bike. But, yeah... I can hang with the group either way... touring bike - I'm in the slowest third of riders; Road bike - I'm in the leading third of riders.

I have both. I have a touring bike that weighs in at about 30 lbs but has STI shifting and 52/42/30 chain rings up front. I have a cannondale synapse that weighs in at about 17.5 lbs. While I have ridden both on club rides that maintain a pace of 16-20 mph, I would much rather be on the road bike. I would say that my average speed for most rides increases 2-3 mph (our rides typically include some climbing - the cannondale climbs much better) on the road bike. But, yeah... I can hang with the group either way... touring bike - I'm in the slowest third of riders; Road bike - I'm in the leading third of riders.

I have a Synapse as well as a 1983 Specialized Expedition and 2008 Co-Motion Americano. While both touring bikes accelerate more slowly than my carbonista, I can maintain a solid fast pace (19-22 mph) on the flats with any of the bikes despite the weight difference. Climbing? if less than a 2 mile uphill the Synapse wins hands down -- I get out of the saddle and crank, and the frame is wonderful. Long steep hills? I give the advantage to lower gearing on the touring bikes that allows me to maintain a higher spin rate. Equipment does make some difference, but I gotta agree with the other post about importance of the engine. I take great pleasure in passing go-fast carbon bikes on my Expedition -- fenders and all! (p.s. -- nothing is as fast in our bike stable as the tandem)

The salesman who sold me my Bianchi Eros said that the "zero flex" rear triangle design meant that there is *no* lost energy in the real triangle. That bicycle was an incredible improvement over my old Nashbar that I bought on price. I could really keep up with the local road riding club when I started riding with them.